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Literature

Literature graduates earn $46,173 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,191 and $63,857. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Literature

Literature is a focused area of study within English. Graduates typically earn around $46,173 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 118 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 774 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $23,868
Median Earnings · 4yr: $46,173
Colleges Offering: 118
Graduates / Year: 774
Avg Net Price / yr: $25,470

How Much Do Literature Graduates Earn?

Literature graduates earn $46,173 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,191 and $63,857. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $23,868 climbs to $46,173 by year four.

$23,868

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$46,173

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$45,749

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Literature graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$26,191 25th pct.

$46,173 Median

$63,857 75th pct.

Is the Cost Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $46,173 and an estimated $101,880 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 6.3 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 80 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 774 students who complete Literature programs each year, the majority (68%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

68%

Bachelor's 68%

Master's 19%

Associate's 9%

What Can You Do With a Literature Degree?

Literature connects to 3 occupations in the job market. English Language and Literature Teachers leads at $78,760/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +0.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

English Language and Literature Teachers

$78,760

$61K $103K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 5,100 openings/yr 58K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Instructing Writing Speaking Learning Strategies

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Teach writing or communication classes.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

↗ +0.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Editor

$77,920

$57K $106K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 9,800 openings/yr 92K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Writing Active Listening Critical Thinking Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.

↗ +3.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Writer & Author

$76,910

$58K $102K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 13,400 openings/yr 48K employed nationally

Writing Writing Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
Present drafts and ideas to clients.

Top Colleges for Literature

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Literature students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	123	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
2	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA · Public	39	58.1%	$30,434	$66,125
3	The University of the South Sewanee, TN · Nonprofit	38	56.9%	$27,872	$64,911
4	Pace University New York, NY · Nonprofit	35	75.9%	$30,892	$70,378
5	Bennington College Bennington, VT · Nonprofit	31	44.5%	$30,947	$38,289
6	The New School New York, NY · Nonprofit	30	63.5%	$58,741	$52,901
7	George Mason University Fairfax, VA · Public	26	87.5%	$17,915	$76,343
8	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	22	9%	$12,548	$82,511
9	Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ · Public	22	89.6%	$14,158	$54,384
10	Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CT · Public	20	Open	$11,513	$41,344
11	American University Washington, DC · Nonprofit	20	62%	$41,943	$77,370
12	Hamilton College Clinton, NY · Nonprofit	19	13.6%	$28,985	$78,411
13	Boise State University Boise, ID · Public	16	87.2%	$21,610	$51,658
14	Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	14	3.7%	$19,066	$101,817
15	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH · Public	11	75.4%	$28,384	$55,076
16	Duke University Durham, NC · Nonprofit	11	5.7%	$29,612	$97,800
17	CUNY Hunter College New York, NY · Public	10	53.8%	$2,984	$63,163
18	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI · Public	10	79.6%	$15,407	$51,793
19	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public	9	85.3%	$25,648	$54,810
20	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA · Nonprofit	8	93.1%	$23,696	$52,927

View all colleges

Ranked by Literature graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Literature program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Literature degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Literature Degree: Pros & Cons

Literature carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 2 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $23,868 at graduation to $46,173 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 28,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $46,173 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 6.3 years.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($26,191) and 75th ($63,857) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Literature Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Literature graduates earn?

Literature graduates earn a national median of $46,173 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,191 and $63,857. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Literature degree?

One year after graduation, Literature degree holders earn a median of $23,868. That climbs to $46,173 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Literature degree?

Literature degree holders pursue careers including English Language and Literature Teachers, which pays a median of $78,760/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Literature program take?

A Literature bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Literature?

118 colleges and universities in the United States offer Literature programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Literature degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $46,173 and an average net price of roughly $25,470/yr, a Literature degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Literature and English?

Literature is a focused concentration within the broader English field. The English major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Literature-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Literature graduates?

Employers hiring Literature graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for Literature graduates?

The job outlook for Literature graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +1.4% job growth over the next 10 years. Writer & Author is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.6%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.